Jaguars left tackle Cam Robinson never wanted to play for another franchise before extension

An offseason priority for the Jacksonville Jaguars was signing starting left tackle Cam Robinson to an extension.

And Robinson called that decision a blessing despite getting franchise tagged twice in consecutive years, which kept him from entering free agency.

"I kind of knew the whole time that this is the place I wanted to be long term if they would have me," Robinson said. "It was just kind of thing where you get with my agent and then have them get with the team and let's get it."

The Jaguars locked up Robinson with a three-year, $54 million contract extension that averages $18 million per season. Robinson would have played under the $16.6 million franchise tender as he did last season had an extension was not finalized by July 15.

"I was never not going to play under the tag," Robinson said. "But we definitely wanted something long-term, and I think it's great that we could get that done."

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Robinson was critical part of Pederson's offseason roster plans

The 26-year-old has started all 61 games he has played for Jacksonville but missed all but two games in 2018 after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Responsible for protecting quarterback Trevor Lawrence's blindside, Robinson enjoyed a breakout season in 2021. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed just one sack in 856 snaps and five penalties.

Robinson was part of the initial plans by Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke and coach Doug Pederson that were deemed critical in their hopes of changing the franchise's culture.

"If you look at the roster, few players are second contract Jaguars," Baalke said. "If we want to change the culture of Jacksonville and the direction of the organization, it's going to start with drafting well and getting guys into their second contract. I think it's important for everyone to understand that if we're not getting guys into their second contracts, it will be tough to turn this thing around."

Linder's retirement was tough

Perhaps, the only offseason that caught Robinson off-guard was center Brandon Linder's retirement on March 28 after eight seasons. Robinson said he knew Linder was considering retirement, but when the decision was finalized it was tough.

"I am not even going to lie, that one hurt me," Robinson said. "I am happy for him, but that’s going to be hard to replace. A lot of the things Brandon brought to the table is irreplaceable. Me myself as a leader, I kind of just want to carry on the things he taught me and help some of the young guys the same way he did for me when I first got

here."

A second-round pick out of Alabama in 2017, Robinson was a rookie starter on a Jaguars team that won the AFC South and advanced to the AFC Championship game before losing to the New England Patriots.

But since that season, the Jaguars' finished 10-6, and Robinson is playing for his third head coach and third offensive line coach. He hasn't enjoyed much winning either, with just 15 wins in the last 65 games.

Confidence never wavered

Despite it all, Robinson said his confidence never wavered, especially last season after the Jaguars used a second-round pick to select Walker Little, who was considered to be his replacement in waiting.

As it turned out, Robinson's starting job was never in jeopardy because Little never made much of a serious threat to unseat him. This season under Pederson, Little is expected to move to right tackle and compete with Jawaan Taylor for the starting job.

"It just matures you," Robinson said about adversity and seeing enough wins. "Going straight into '17, it seemed like that's what it would be like every year. You go from winning, and then I know the years to follow were kind of an up-and-down roller coaster. I think it just kind of taught me maturity and discipline and how to just keep my

head down and grind my way through."

Sees franchise turning the corner

He sees a franchise that he thinks is turning the corner from last season's dysfunctional mess under former head coach Urban Meyer, who got fired after a 2-11 start in his first season.

Pederson appears to be a change for the better, with his professionalism, NFL knowledge and past success in leading the Philadelphia Eagles to their first-ever Super Bowl victory at the end of the 2017 season.

The franchise continues to upgrade the roster with talent, including using their No. 1 overall pick this past week to select former Georgia defensive end Travon Walker.

A week ago, the Jaguars picked up the fifth-year option on Josh Allen's contract that is likely to result in the franchise working to extend him a long-term deal.

Robinson has noticed the changes and likes what he sees so far, especially during free agency when the Jaguars made a big splash in free agency. They signed eight players, including wide receiver Christian Kirk, to contracts totaling $162.5 million in guaranteed money.

"Absolutely, with what we were able to do in the offseason and the guys that we were able to bring in. Us bringing in Doug and of course Lawrence. (He) is awesome," Robinson said. "I am just looking forward to Trevor taking that next step and us starting to build something special."

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Cam Robinson calls 3-year extension agreement with Jaguars a ''blessing''